Tension device for fence-machines



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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

D. E. MILLER.

TENSION DEVICE EOE FENCE MACHINES.

No. 392,684. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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D. E. MILLER.

TENSION DEVICE FOR PENGE MACHINES. No. 392,684. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

UNITED STATES "PATENT Trice DAVID E. MILLER, OF GOSHEN, INDIANA.

TENSION DEVICE FOR FENCE IVlACHlNES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,684, dated November 13, 1888.

Application filed August 30, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID E. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goshen, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented a new and'useful Improvement in Tension Devices for Fence-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, cheap, durable, and effective tension device for fence-machines; and it consists in a certain novel construction and combination of devices, fully set forth hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed outin the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tension device in the operative position. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional view. 7

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the supporting-frame of the tension device, which consists of the side bars, B B, attached at their lower ends to the horizontal sills C O, and connected at their upper ends by the top bar, I). The side bars are provided with registering bearings b b, in which are mounted the spools or drums E E, having trans verse apertures c 6 near one end, in which to insert thepeg F to enable the spools or drums to be turned to wind the fence-wire thereon. This peg is shown engaged in one of the apertures in Fig. 1.

In the drawings six spools or drums are shown, the same being arranged in pairs; but let it be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of six spools or drums, as any desired number may be employed.

G represents a bracket, which is attached to the frame of the machine, consisting of two rods, 9 g, which comprise the vertical arms H H, inserted at their lower ends in a keeper, 7:, on one of the side bars of the frame, and the horizontal arms I I, which are engaged in keepers on the top bar of the frame, as seen at t z. Between the vertical and horizontal arms the rods are bent to form loops or bearings K K, in which are mounted the ends of the antifriction roller L.

M represents a strap or belt, which is rigidly secured at one end to the frame of the device, extends over the top spool, passes down and under the third spool, extends up and over the second spool, then passes down and under Serial No. 284.134. (No model.)

the fifth spool, then passes up and over the fourth spool, and then passes down under the bottom spool, extends up and over the antifriction roller L, and is provided on its free end with a weight, N. It will be seen that the strap or belt may be held at any desired tension by placing a heavier or lighter weight on its free end, and it is evident that the greater the tension on the strap the more difficult it will be to unwind the wire from the spools, and consequently the greater will be the tension on the wires. It will be understood that the wire 0 is wound on the spools or drums, and is adapted to be drawn therefrom by a fence-making machine. (Not shown.)

The rear ends of the sills are provided with loops 1? P, in which are engaged stakes Q Q, which are driven firmly in the ground, and It represents an adjustable brace, which consists of the swinging yoke r, pivoted at its ends to the side bars of the frame, and the connectingrod 1", which is attached at one end to the center of the yoke, and is provided at its other end with a loop, 0, through which is driven the anchor or stake S.

The operation of this device will be readily understood from the foregoing description, without further enlargement herein.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a tension device, the combination,with the frame, of the spools mounted therein, the bracket attached to the frame and having an anti-friction roller mounted therein, and the tension-strap,attached rigidly at one end to the frame, passing around the spools and over the said anti-friction roller, and having a weight suspended on its free end, substantially as specified.

2. In a tension device, the combination,with the frame and the spools mounted therein, of the bracket G, consisting of the rods 9 g, having the arms H H and I I mounted at their ends in suitable keepers on the frame and connected by bearings K K, the roller mounted in the said bearings, and the strap, rigidly attached at oneend to the frame, passing around the spools and over the roller, and provided at its free end with a weight, substantially as specified.

3. In a tension device, the combination,with the frame having the sills C O, the spools mounted in the frame, and the tension-strap In testimony that Ielaim the foregoing as my passing around the spools, of the anchors passown I have hereto affixed my signature in pres- :0 ing through loops on the rear ends of the sills, ence of two witnesses.

and the brace R, consisting of the swinging 5 yoke 1", attached to the frame, and the rod 1", DAVID MILLER connected to the yoke, and provided with a \Vitncsses: loop which is engaged over an anchor, S, sub- SAMUEL F. ULERY, stantially as specified. SIMON GRINER. 

